Yasuhisa Arai (Honda): “The goal is to win. »

2015 will be a milestone in the history of Honda and the F1. The second year in which the premier discipline of motorsport will use turbo/hybrid V6s will see the return to competition of Honda, associated with the team McLaren, to reform the legendary duo from the end of the 80s? early 90s. The Japanese engine manufacturer is working hard to meet deadlines and be ready for battle at the first tests at Jerez in Spain in early 2015.

“We are following our development plan perfectly, explains Honda Motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai on the F1 website. Our engine – or more precisely our Power Unit – is ready for a whole system check, but without the chassis. There will still be a need for more time to assemble the engine and chassis and then be able to run checks on the complete car. » Despite rumors about possible private tests after the end of the 2014 season to run a McLaren equipped with a Honda engine, the Japanese believes that the first appearance of the future MP4-30 and the Japanese Power Unit will only take place 'at Jerez next February. “In the next two weeks we will carry out simulations and at the beginning of next year we will start driving on track, most probably in Jerez. This will most likely be the first time we show the complete car. At the moment there are no plans to collect data during the remainder of the 2014 season, Jerez will be a real baptism of fire. »

If the team led by Ron Dennis will have the chance to benefit exclusively from this highly anticipated engine in 2015, no definitive plan rules out the supply of other teams beyond this date. “In 2016 or later, if some teams ask us to provide them with an engine as well, we will take a look at that situation. But even in 2016, McLaren will be our main partner in F1. And even if we supply other teams from 2016, our main goal will always be to win and not necessarily need to see a return on investment. If you win it will come automatically. »

Concerning its objectives, Honda and its boss are not closing the door to first-rate results from 2015. “I hope we win some races next year. And that this will send a very positive signal for our brand on a global scale. I think we can be at the level of Mercedes »